Osborn

sed a hand to my throbbing cheek and regarded h

my voice unnervingly level. "Th

t. He appeared to perceive, for the first time, the immense and silent distance that now s

n... I am sorry. These affairs have been stressful. Let us simply endure this

me ago that I had cared for such frivolities. From the instant he had proposed, from the moment I had con

d. He turned to Francine, his tone uncharacteristically firm. "Francine, I be

portive fiancé. He even knelt with me before my mother's empty memorial niche until

ing for us. Francine was huddled by our front door, wrapped in

s so frightened! I kept hearing noises... I think..

himself, glancing nervously at me

. "Amira, you believe me, do you not? You mu

it is near. But she would not squander her energies on you. She would

cal sobs. "I cannot remain here! I shall have a breakd

ury. "Why must you be so cruel? So selfish? She is distraught, and all you can do is mock

hing, listening. Francine, ever the actress, played to the gallery, sobbing about how she

rd the whispers. "Poor woman." "That Amira is

not defend

cine and led her inside our apartment